A once-off 2014 album as Scout Hardcastle not withstanding and that’s all we had from the Irish musician, til now.

Not much has changed on the surface, on this self-proclaimed ‘self-leak’ rather than release, Meljoann’s jerky electronic rhythms are very much in place. The only difference would appear to be she’s become a better vocalist and ‘Personal Assistant’ has her sounding like Janet Jackson, with the obvious caveat that the song is a lot weirder than any Janet stuff. It’s from an upcoming album called HR, a title inspired by a day job. “I made it in between shifts at a call centre, during which I unfortunately got to observe a creepy corporate scene from way too close up.”

Meljoann has two Irish dates this week: Cork’s Gulpd Café in Cork on 18th of March (Plugd Events), and Tivoli Backstage in Dublin on 19th of March (Open Ear Presents, with Everything Shook).

The name Scout Hardcastle is possibly a riff on the English synth man Paul Hardcastle (either that or it’s a close coincidence) and it’s the one chosen by Meljoann for her alterego project which features her vocals, songwriting and production.

‘Fetishes’ is the first single from Scout Hardcastle’s debut album, Masterkinder: Rainbows of my Mind coming on Boy Scout Audio, and features vocal, songwriting and production from Meljoann.

Where her own debut album Squick was politely described as “irish electro skwee funk”. Scout Hardcastle’s Masterkinder: Rainbows of my Mind album is forthcoming and is promised as featuring a wild array of influences “Wonk, House, 80s and 90s R&B/funk, Bass music, Noise, Ambient, Dance-hall, R&B Slow Jams, Old-Skool Rave, and Irish folk music”

Judging by first track ‘Fetishes’, the music is seductive minimal wave synth pop with Meljoann’s unique voice providing some alt-R&B style. Check out the video by Ceara Martyn featuring bin bag costumes and both Meljoann and Hardcastle, glitter and more.

Diamond Dagger typically hasn’t made a lot of tunes with vocals but this new track featuring the silky singing voice of the far-too-quiet Meljoann is proof that Damo should do more of this kind of thing. ‘What’s Your Friend’s Name’ is a freaking amazing slice of electro-synth goodness. Download it at Bandcamp.

The brilliant debut album from Meljoann is here . Introduced in June as “Irish electro skweee funk”, the album lives up to the promise of tracks previously shared ‘So Academic’, ‘E.X.I.T’ and ‘Tour Guide’. Squick is out this Friday.

A list of personally recommended events taking place over the next seven days in Dublin and beyond. All times are 7.30pm/8pm unless stated. Feel free to leave your picks in the comments.

Two festivals taking place this week: festival of World Cultures – with Amiina (pictured) and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble playing amongst others and Knockanstockan – ASIWYFA, Sounds of System Breakdown, Spook of the Thirteenth Lock and more.

A list of personally recommended events taking place over the next seven days in Dublin and beyond. All times are 7.30pm/8pm unless stated. Feel free to leave your picks in the comments.

Don’t forget our FREE State vs Out on a Limb gig this week with Funeral Suits, Windings and Meljoann. FREE FREE FREE. Also, Adebisi Shank will be previewing some new material (as per above poster) with myself and others spinning tunes.

Early days for Meljoann but this Irish lass has a style unique to herself already: cooing R&B-esque vocals, electronic and digital funk, heavily inspired by Scandinavian genre Skweee which itself is characterised by ’80s electro sounds, drum machines and 8-bit melodies.

Meljoann has previously guested on Herv’s Gang Moulded and together the couple are working on an album under the name Gland and Conduit. Meljoann herself will release the Tour Guide EP this summer and an album in September. She will play next month’s State gig in the Mercantile also on the 16th of July. Sign up to her mailing list.